Course Title: Design Sustainable Buildings
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term2 2025
Course Code: ARCH5302
Course Title: Design Sustainable Buildings
Important Information:
Please note that this course has compulsory engagement attendance requirements for teaching activities.
Please check your Canvas course shell closer to when the course starts to see when this course requires mandatory attendance.
School: 530T Built Environment and Sustainability
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6188 - Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural)
Course Contact: Catherine Ciavarella
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9819
Course Contact Email: catherine.ciavarella@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 90
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply the principles of sustainability to building designs.
It includes the ability to apply sustainable practices to minimise negative impacts of the construction process and land use on the environment, incorporate passive design, sustainable water use and energy efficiency into a building design and select suitable materials for the construction of the building that comply with relevant legislation, the National Construction Code (NCC) and Australian Standards.
This unit applies to building designers who design sustainable buildings within the context of relevant legislation and within the legal responsibilities of building designers.
No occupational licensing or legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. However, this unit forms part of a minimum qualification requirement for the registration class of Draftsperson, Building Design (Architectural) category, with the Victorian Building Authority.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VU23447 Design Sustainable Buildings |
Element: |
1. Determine the impacts of building development on the natural environment |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Research impacts of building development on surrounding ecosystems. 1.2 Identify policies and legislation and representative organisations supporting environmentally sustainable design principles. |
Element: |
2. Incorporate sustainable criteria into building design |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Identify and research the impact and characteristics of the location and specific climates to inform building design approaches. 2.2 Determine sustainable design principles for the building design. 2.3 Consider site influences and sun path to maximise opportunities for passive heating and cooling in the design. 2.4 Incorporate passive design principles into the design project. 2.5 Select and document the appropriate form of construction according to the energy performance provisions of the NCC. |
Element: |
3. Select sustainable materials |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Identify and analyse characteristics of sustainable materials to inform material selection. 3.2 Compare sustainability of a range of building materials and select suitable materials for the building design according to legislation, the NCC and Australian Standards. |
Element: |
4. Incorporate systems for sustainable water use |
Performance Criteria: |
4.1 Incorporate systems for water collection, storage, use and re-use for the building design according to relevant legislation and local restrictions. 4.2 Investigate alternative systems for reticulated water and effluent disposal. 4.3 Investigate and incorporate strategies to manage stormwater run-off in the design. |
Element: |
5. Incorporate energy efficiency into building design |
Performance Criteria: |
5.1 Identify energy efficient design principles according to legislation and the NCC. 5.2 Research renewable energy sources for the building design and recommend best practice options for energy conservation. 5.3 Determine the selection and use of energy efficient fittings, appliances and services for inclusion in design. |
Learning Outcomes
This course supports the attainment of the skills and knowledge required for building designers to design sustainable buildings within the context of relevant legislation, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian Standards.
Details of Learning Activities
Learning activities will take place in a classroom using industry standard tools and resources. Classes will be face to face and/or in a remote (virtual) learning mode online.
Refer to your course syllabus and Canvas shells for specific information on how each of your courses is delivered this semester.
You will also be required to undertake independent study and research.
Activities will include:
- teacher directed and independent project work,
- teacher directed and independent research,
- group work,
- studio critiques,
- student pin-ups and presentations,
- peer reviews,
- in-class instruction and demonstrations,
- on-line quizzes.
Teaching Schedule
| Week | Task |
| 01-01 | AT01 - Issued |
| 01-02 | AT02 - Issued |
| 01-06 | AT01 - Submitted |
| 01-09 |
AT02 - Submitted AT03 - Issued |
| 01-16 | AT03 - Submitted |
| 02-01 | AT04 - Issued |
| 02-16 | AT04 - Submitted |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Building Your Own Home - G Wilkie
yourhome.gov.au
- Owen Hopkins, Architectural Styles: a visual guide, Laurence King Publishing, 2014.
- Francis D. K. Ching, A Visual Dictionary of Architecture, Wiley, 2011.
- Francis D.K. Ching, Architecture Form Space & Order, Wiley, 2014.
- Lorraine Farrelly, The Fundamentals of Architecture, AVA Publishing, 2012.
- Lorraine Farrelly, Basics Architecture: Representational Techniques, Fairchild Books, 2015.
- Lorraine Farrelly, Basics Architecture 02: Construction and Materiality, AVA Publishing, 2009.
- Kari Jormakka, Basics Design Methods, Birkhauser Architecture, 2007.
- Bert Bielefeld & Sebastian El Khouli, Basics Design Ideas, Birkhauser Architecture, 2007.
- Gavin Ambrose & Paul Harris, Basics, Design Layout, AVA Publishing, 2005.
- Jan Krebs, Basics Design and Living, Birkhauser Architecture, 2018.
- Anthony di Mari, Operative Design, (A Catalogue of Spatial Verbs), BisPublishers, 2012.
- Charles Doidge, Rosie Parnell & Rachel Sara, The Crit, an Architecture Student’s Handbook, Routledge, 2016.
- NCC Volume 2, https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/login
- AS2890 Off Street Carparking, Standards Australia, (access via RMIT Library).
- AS1428 Disabled Access, Standards Australia, (access via RMIT Library).
- Understanding Rescode.pdf (Weblink)
- Planning Schedules 54 & 55.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS
Assessment Tasks
AT-01 - Residential Design Project 01
AT-02 - Residential Design Project 02
AT-03 - Residential Design Project 03
AT-04 - Residential Design Project 04
Refer to the Canvas Task page for project brief & submission requirements.
This course is delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment.
CA: Competency achieved
NYC: Not Yet Competent
DNS: Did Not Submit for Assessment
All work for assessments is required to be submitted on the due date and time as outlined in the course syllabus. Exception to this is where an approved Equitable Learning Plan after discussion with teacher, an application for Special Consideration or an approved Extension of Time is in place, submitted before the task’s due date with appropriate documentation. Any extensions will be in relation to original submission date only. There are no extensions to resubmissions.
Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level.
If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension of time for your assessable work.
Please see following access for the details on applying for extension of time to assessments;
Special consideration;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration
Application for extension of time;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-results/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work
Equitable assessment arrangements (EAA);
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/equitable-learning
If your work is incomplete, you are strongly encouraged to submit your work on the due date, in order to meet the submission requirements. Should it be below competency you may be asked to resubmit.
Assessment Matrix
An assessment matrix demonstrating alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unt of Competency is available on Canvas.
Other Information
Attendance
The major learning experience involves studio-based exercises, demonstration and production.
It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to be successful in this course.
Canvas
Use Canvas to access your course content and announcements, submit assignments, and receive your grades and feedback;
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/it-services-for-students/canvas
Student feedback at RMIT:
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
The following link is an outline and ways that you will receive your feedback at RMIT;
Student Progress Monitoring
Academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Please see following access to the Student progress policy webpage; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress
Submitting Assessments onto Canvas
Here is a guide to submitting assessments on Canvas; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/submitting-assessments-in-canvas
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity.
Please see following access for more information on Academic Integrity at RMIT; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-integrity
Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.
Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer or RPL for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit
Orientation
It's time to get ready; https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/new-student-guide
Get involved in student life at RMIT
Course Overview: Access Course Overview